as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
the new plan raises a number of hot-button issues that are sure to get voters riled up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
A lot of times, these hot-button issues that are pressed, those little pokes, are more nuanced than they’re portrayed.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch's ejection for his role in a postgame brawl during Sunday night's game in Kansas City has become a hot button topic for NFL and Lions fans ever since, with Lions players Alim McNeill and Dan Skipper expressing their anger in recent days.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
However, most of the president's talking points were his current hot-button issues, like the economy, his plans to take over Greenland and the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
A lot of times, these hot-button issues that are pressed, those little pokes, are more nuanced than they’re portrayed.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
One hot button issue — politics — is less likely to be discussed at holiday gatherings.
—Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch's ejection for his role in a postgame brawl during Sunday night's game in Kansas City has become a hot button topic for NFL and Lions fans ever since, with Lions players Alim McNeill and Dan Skipper expressing their anger in recent days.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
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By advancing to phase two, the United States and mediator partners Egypt and Qatar must confront the more contentious issue of Hamas disarmament, which the group has long rejected.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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Building a Better California is expected to back statewide ballot measures and legislation that would boost housing construction and streamline approvals, positioning Brin as a major player in one of California’s most contentious policy fights.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The train’s cars spray a de-icing solution on the third rail while scraping off any accumulation.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Disregarding the out-of-joint 2021 Finals, which were bumped up to July by the pandemic, Saturday has been a third rail for the NBA for the better part of the last 45 years.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some figures indicated that iPhone users were still avoiding upgrading despite this risk, citing multiple bugs and the controversial Liquid Glass as a reason for staying on an insecure operating system version.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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At times, the process was controversial as there were a lot of differing opinions about the content.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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